Rosario Corpus is delighted as a clown from the Alzafar Shrine Circus comes to hug her at Freeman Coliseum. Twenty-five residents of Morningside Ministries at Chandler Estate attended the circus, courtesy of the Alzafar Shriners. less

Rosario Corpus is delighted as a clown from the Alzafar Shrine Circus comes to hug her at Freeman Coliseum. Twenty-five residents of Morningside Ministries at Chandler Estate attended the circus, courtesy of ... more

Dora Garza, 86, attends her first Alzafar Shrine Circus Sept. 14, 2013 at the Freeman Coliseum and got a hat from her son as well. Garza attended the circus with ohers from Golden Estates Rehabilitation Center. less

Dora Garza, 86, attends her first Alzafar Shrine Circus Sept. 14, 2013 at the Freeman Coliseum and got a hat from her son as well. Garza attended the circus with ohers from Golden Estates Rehabilitation ... more

Dora Garza, 86, attends her first Alzafar Shrine Circus Sept. 14, 2013 at the Freeman Coliseum and got a hat from her son as well. Garza attended the circus with ohers from Golden Estates Rehabilitation Center. less

Dora Garza, 86, attends her first Alzafar Shrine Circus Sept. 14, 2013 at the Freeman Coliseum and got a hat from her son as well. Garza attended the circus with ohers from Golden Estates Rehabilitation ... more

Photo: Cynthia Esparza, For San Antonio Express-News

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Robert Norman a nobel with the Schriners helps Mariana Ovando, 91, and leads the way Sept. 14, 2013 for the group she was with, Morningside Ministries the Chandler Estate, into the Freeman Coliseum for the Alzafar Shrine Circus. The senior and assisted living community traditionally attend the Saturday morning show. less

Robert Norman a nobel with the Schriners helps Mariana Ovando, 91, and leads the way Sept. 14, 2013 for the group she was with, Morningside Ministries the Chandler Estate, into the Freeman Coliseum for the ... more

Photo: Cynthia Esparza, For San Antonio Express-News

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Mariana Ovando, 91(2nd from left) gets exicted as she sees the performers walking by Sept. 14, 2013 at the beginning of the Alzafar Shrine Circus Sept. 14, 2013 at the Freeman Coliseum. Ovando and her daughter Magda Gailey attended the show with Moriningside Ministries Chandler Estate. less

Mariana Ovando, 91(2nd from left) gets exicted as she sees the performers walking by Sept. 14, 2013 at the beginning of the Alzafar Shrine Circus Sept. 14, 2013 at the Freeman Coliseum. Ovando and her daughter ... more

Photo: Cynthia Esparza, For San Antonio Express-News

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Janis Boyle, 71, waves to the Alzafar Shrine Circus performers as they pass by during the opening Sept. 14, 2013 at the Freeman Coliseum . This was the first circus that Boyle had ever been to and she was very excited. less

Janis Boyle, 71, waves to the Alzafar Shrine Circus performers as they pass by during the opening Sept. 14, 2013 at the Freeman Coliseum . This was the first circus that Boyle had ever been to and she was very ... more

Photo: Cynthia Esparza, For San Antonio Express-News

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Magda Gailey (right) and her mom Mariana Ovando, 91, watch the Saturday morning show of the Alzafar Shrine Circus Sept. 14, 2013 at the Freeman Coliseum.

Magda Gailey (right) and her mom Mariana Ovando, 91, watch the Saturday morning show of the Alzafar Shrine Circus Sept. 14, 2013 at the Freeman Coliseum.

Photo: Cynthia Esparza, For San Antonio Express-News

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A group of about 25 seniors from Morningside Ministries Chandler Estate get ready to see the Alzafar Shrine Circus Sept. 14, 2013 at the Freeman Coliseum. The senior and assisted living community traditionally attend the Saturday morning show. less

A group of about 25 seniors from Morningside Ministries Chandler Estate get ready to see the Alzafar Shrine Circus Sept. 14, 2013 at the Freeman Coliseum. The senior and assisted living community traditionally ... more

Photo: Cynthia Esparza, For San Antonio Express-News

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A performer is suspended by her head during the Alzafar Shrine Circus Sept. 14, 2013 at the Freeman Coliseum.

A performer is suspended by her head during the Alzafar Shrine Circus Sept. 14, 2013 at the Freeman Coliseum.

Photo: Cynthia Esparza, For San Antonio Express-News

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Ringmaster Audrey Alvarado speaks to the crowd during the Alzafar Shrine Circus Sept. 14, 2013 at the Freeman Coliseum.

Ringmaster Audrey Alvarado speaks to the crowd during the Alzafar Shrine Circus Sept. 14, 2013 at the Freeman Coliseum.

Photo: Cynthia Esparza, For San Antonio Express-News

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Rosario Corpus is delighted as a clown from the Alzafar Shrine Circus comes to hug her Sept. 14, 2013 at the Freeman Coliseum.

Rosario Corpus is delighted as a clown from the Alzafar Shrine Circus comes to hug her Sept. 14, 2013 at the Freeman Coliseum.

The big show never came to her small town of Chickasha, Okla., when she was growing up, but Saturday morning she had a front-row seat to three rings of high-flying acrobats, jugglers, daredevils and sequined dancers.

She sat in her wheelchair and cheered the clowns and stared up as Ringmaster Audrey Michelle descended from the rafters on a high-wire platform, sparkling in the dark arena.

Boyle was one of 25 residents of Morningside Ministries at Chandler Estate who attended the Alzafar Shrine Circus at Freeman Coliseum, courtesy of the Alzafar Shriners.

Each year, the Shriners provide free tickets to the circus' morning shows to various groups, including senior and assisted-living facilities and children from low-income families.